Purdue Rallies Late to Overpower Michigan State Wrestling, 27-9
**WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. ** - Michigan State came out swinging on Friday night in Holloway Gymnasium, but it was Purdue that delivered the final blow.
The Spartans opened strong, winning three of the first four bouts to build early momentum. But that spark faded quickly as the Boilermakers stormed back, winning the final six matches to secure a 27-9 victory in Big Ten dual action.
Michigan State drops to 3-5 on the season and remains winless in conference duals at 0-3. Purdue, meanwhile, improves to 9-3 overall and levels its Big Ten record at 2-2.
Let’s break down how it all unfolded.
Early Firepower from the Spartans
Michigan State came out with energy and purpose, and it showed in the opening stretch. Redshirt junior Kael Wisler set the tone at 197 pounds with one of the night’s biggest moments - a gritty comeback win over No. 20-ranked Ben Vanadia.
Wisler was down 6-3 in the third period, but he didn’t flinch. Two clutch takedowns in the final frame, including a decisive one in the closing seconds, flipped the script and gave him a 9-8 decision.
It was a statement win for Wisler, who not only upset a ranked opponent but did it with poise under pressure.
At heavyweight, Josh Terrill followed up with a grinder’s special - a 2-1 decision over Hayden Filipovich. It wasn’t flashy, but it was effective. Terrill’s control and discipline in a low-scoring affair nudged Michigan State ahead in the team score, 6-4.
Then came Nick Corday at 125 pounds, and he delivered one of the more dramatic finishes of the night. After three periods of scoreless wrestling, Corday turned it on in sudden victory.
He not only secured the takedown but also racked up back points to finish off a 7-0 win. That gave the Spartans a 9-4 lead through four bouts - and for a moment, it looked like they might be in control.
Purdue Slams the Door Shut
But the Boilermakers had other plans.
From 133 pounds on, it was all Purdue. Blake Boardman started the rally with a 5-0 decision over Michigan State’s Caleb Weiand, who came in ranked No.
- That win cut the Spartans’ lead to 9-7, and the momentum shifted hard.
Greyson Clark took full advantage at 141, dominating Sean Larkin with a 15-0 technical fall that gave Purdue a 12-9 edge. From there, the Boilermakers didn’t look back.
Gavin Brown, ranked No. 30 at 149, outpaced Clayton Jones in a 15-8 decision. Stoney Buell followed with a 5-0 shutout over Darius Marines at 157.
Then came a pair of lopsided results: No. 4-ranked Joey Blaze teched Jack Conley, 20-3, at 165, and No. 17 Brody Bauman closed the night with a 16-5 major decision over Connor O’Neill at 174.
In total, Purdue rattled off 23 unanswered team points to flip a five-point deficit into a dominant 18-point win.
Final Score Breakdown
- 184: #24 James Rowley (PUR) major Luke Vanadia, 17-4 - Purdue leads 4-0
- 197: Kael Wisler (MSU) dec.
#20 Ben Vanadia, 9-8 - Purdue 4-3
- HWT: Josh Terrill (MSU) dec.
Hayden Filipovich, 2-1 - MSU leads 6-4
- 125: Nick Corday (MSU) dec.
Ashton Jackson, 7-0 - MSU leads 9-4
- 133: Blake Boardman (PUR) dec.
#30 Caleb Weiand, 5-0 - MSU 9-7
- 141: Greyson Clark (PUR) tech Sean Larkin, 15-0 - Purdue leads 12-9
- 149: #30 Gavin Brown (PUR) dec. Clayton Jones, 15-8 - Purdue 15-9
- 157: #24 Stoney Buell (PUR) dec. Darius Marines, 5-0 - Purdue 18-9
- 165: #4 Joey Blaze (PUR) tech Jack Conley, 20-3 - Purdue 23-9
- 174: #17 Brody Bauman (PUR) major Connor O’Neill, 16-5 - Purdue 27-9
What’s Next
For Michigan State, the path forward means regrouping and finding ways to sustain early momentum deeper into duals. The Spartans showed they can hang with ranked opponents - Wisler’s upset is proof of that. But consistency across all weights remains the hurdle.
Purdue, on the other hand, continues to show why it’s a dangerous team in the Big Ten. With ranked talent up and down the lineup and the ability to close strong, the Boilermakers look poised to make some noise as the season progresses.
Friday night was a tale of two halves - and Purdue owned the second one.